Push comes as major drug busts made at border involving Mexican trucks

By Jeremy Los

May 22, 2011- Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) is leading a bi-partisan push to end a cross-border trucking program that would allow Mexican trucks to use U.S. roadways. Hunter and Illinois Democrat Daniel Lipinski sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood protesting the agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. The letter has rare bipartisan agreement, signed by 42 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle including Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego).

The lawmakers claim that the program will tarnish border security as well as hurt the American economy and cost jobs. In addition, concerns have been raised over highway safety.

May 25, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Three men, one brandishing a gun, robbed the AM PM Mart at 6404 Mission Gorge Road at 1:01 a.m. The suspects are described as black male adults in their 20s, wearing hoodies and baggy jeans.

May 24, 2011 (Alpine) –Alpine Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Mary Tedesco advises that she received a phone call today from a resident who was called by a person claiming to be a representative from the Fireman’s Association—asking for a $500 donation.

“Firefighters DO NOT solicit for money,” Tedesco advised in a bulletin sent to the Alpine Community Network. “The only time we collect money is for the annual boot drive on the streets (in uniform) for the Burn Institute, and that takes place all over San Diego for just one day. Other than that.......NO PHONE CALLS OR ASKING FOR MONEY EVER!”

Program Expands Coverage for Uninsured, Thanks to Federal Funds

May 24, 2011 (San Diego)--Today the County Board of Supervisors approved implementation of the Low Income Health Program (LIHP). The program will expand the successful Coverage Initiative program which the County's Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been operating since 2007.

The expanded program will provide access to primary care and mental health benefits to low-income, uninsured adults. The program will help improve health outcomes and decrease healthcare costs in the region. LIHP will serve single, medically indigent individuals at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, and provide them with a patient-centered medical home.

May 24, 2011 (Spring Valley)– The Otay Water District’s (the District) Board of Directors has approved its budget for fiscal year 2011-2012. The budget adopted by the District includes a rate increase of 7.7 percent for water service and a 7.5 percent rate increase for sewer effective January, 2012.

"The $78.1 million operating budget and $22.6 million Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) budget reflect the District’s ongoing efforts to lessen the impact of higher water costs on customers," a press release issued by the district stated.

By Miriam Raftery (guest columnist)
Terra Bistro

7091 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115
www.terrasd.com

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2011 (San Diego) –San Diego City Council has approved the biggest cost cutting move in San Diego’s history: reforming retiree health benefits, which is estimated to save the City $714,000,000 in coming years.

“With this agreement the City is keeping faith with retirees and taxpayers by creating a sustainable benefit and freeing up hundreds of millions of dollars needed for City services like public safety, libraries and parks,” said Councilmember Marti Emerald, who announced the pending agreement during her recent State of the District address.

 STUDENT RATES ADDED: $10 at door

EARLY-BIRD RATES EXTENDED! ($15 if you pre-pay online; $20 at door)

By Brian Lafferty

May 23, 2011 (San Diego) – Today’s Netflix Streaming Pick of the Week is inspired by this year’s Cannes Film Festival, which wrapped up yesterday. The film world has been abuzz with Cannes fever including, but not limited to, Lars Von Trier’s controversial Hitler remarks and the Palme d’Or going to Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life.

May 23, 2011 (Lemon Grove) --The Lemon Grove Historical Society will hold a rummage sale on Saturday, May 28 from 7:30 a.m. to  1 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Parsonage Museum.  Lots of like-new Cal King comforters and shams and sheet sets, lighting new in the box, plastic toddler trike, clothing, household and more.  To donate items, call 619-460-4353 for pickup or arrange drop-off.  All proceeds benefit the Parsonage Museum and the H. Lee House Cultural Center.

May 22, 2011 (Ramona) – A major accident involving two vehicles, one over the side, at 15714 has shut down Vista Vicente Drive in  both directions.  A medical heliciopter is en route.  CHP reported at 7:09 p.m. that one subject is “combative.”  No further details are yet available. 

May 22, 2011 (La Mesa)Applications are now being accepted for positions on the City’s boards, commissions, and committees. The deadline for submission of applications is 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2011, in the City Clerk’s office at La MesaCity Hall, 8130 Allison Avenue. Applications may be obtained at City Hall, the La Mesa Library or by accessing the City of La Mesa website, www.cityoflamesa.com.

May 22, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Do you have a budding artist or a child that loves to act?  What about your sports enthusiast or do they love math and science?  La Mesa Community Services is offering these fourteen “memories-to-be-made” camps that will put a smile on any child’s face ages five years and up:  

*Art Smarts Art Camp, *Creative Theatre Camp, *Day Camp, *Engineering Camp, *Flag Football Camp, *Fencing Camp, *FRESHi Flix Filmmaking Camp, *Jump Rope Camp, *Mad Science Camp, *Math Zoom Camp, *Princess Camp, *Rock Star Camp, *Surf Camp, and *Tennis Camp.

Summer is just around the corner!  For more information, please visit www.cityoflamesa.com/classes or contact La Mesa Community Services at (619) 667-1300

By Miriam Raftery
 

May 21, 2011 (Otay) – Last weekend, I took a drive to explore the southeast section of our readership area. I headed south on Highway 94, then west on Otay Lakes Road, passing a parachute center before meandering among the various lakes that make up this close-to-the-border region. This area has a colorful—if largely forgotten—history.

May 21, 2011 (La Mesa)--On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, the City of La Mesa will host the Grand Opening of the Allison Avenue streetscape improvement project. The event will take place in front of and just east of the La Mesa Library (8074 Allison Avenue) at 4:30 pm.

Allison Avenue is located in the heart of La Mesa’s downtown and Civic Center providing access to shopping, the Trolley Station, bus stops, Civic Center, the Library and Post Office.

The award winning Allison Avenue project includes many new urban smart growth design concepts; including enhanced crosswalks with inlayed flashing pavement markers, decorative streetlights, walkability features, street trees,  landscaping, diagonal parking and improved bus shelters.